media-releases

More Family Violence Support Services For Community Plus

CommUnity Plus will receive $47,577 to provide more family violence support services for the community, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for St Albans, Natalie Suleyman MP today congratulated CommUnity Plus, which is one of 28 successful applicants to share in $1.3 million of Community Legal Centre Family Violence Fund grants.

The $47,577 grant will be used to continue to employ a lawyer five days a fortnight and expand the outreach family violence clinic in the antenatal program at Sunshine Hospital to deliver similar services in Melton.

The program is targeted at pregnant vulnerable women who are experiencing family violence and are visiting the antenatal program.

The family violence lawyer works in collaboration with the nurses, doctors and social workers within the antenatal program of Sunshine Hospital.

The lawyer provides information, advice and casework support to the clients on a range of legal issues, including family law, IVO, fines, debts, mortgage debt, tenancy and child support issues.

The CLC Family Violence Fund grants are part of the $4.6 million funding package delivered for family violence-related legal services in the Victorian Budget 2016/17.

As part of the package, the Government also provided $1.2 million to 23 community legal centres for family violence duty lawyer services, which help victims of family violence with legal proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court.

Victoria Legal Aid received the $2.1 million to continue providing free family violence legal services.

Quotes attributable to St Albans, Natalie Suleyman MP

“This funding will help CommUnity Plus to support family violence victims when they need it most.”

“I congratulate the centre and thank the staff for the important work they do to support victims of family violence.”

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General, Martin Pakula MP

“We’re delivering more family violence support services across Victoria to help those most in need.”

“Community legal centres play a crucial role to support victims in court, secure housing and to resolve family violence-related debts.”